Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)

I heard she isn't black OR a female...

I still enjoy that movie. I saw it in the theater, was a big Madonna fan back then and loved her in the movie and the 'Get Into The Groove' song that came from it.

Rosanna Arquette wasn't too pleased that she was overshadowed by Madonna

Isn't that one of the girls from Bananarama?

I wonder how Arquette felt about winning the Bafta award for Best SUPPORTING Actress.

[quote] Was there ever a more awesome character/role/performance in movie history?

Yes

Poor old Madge. Desperately seeking relevance.

Haven’t we just covered this topic extensively in the past couple of weeks?

It STILL holds up even tho I'm no longer the Madge fan I was. She used to be the coolest thing in the universe. That fucking club scene--from her bopping while leaning against the jukebox to her dancing from person to person--is how I will ALWAYS remember her.

Also, how long has Metcalf been in show business? JESUS

I hope that they release the director's cut one of these days!

Did anyone besides Rosanna get more screen time in this movie than Madonna?

Arquette’s husband in the movie died in the waiting room of Columbia Presbyterian trying to get a bed in the early days of COVID.

Fun fact: The working title was "Desperately Seeking Susanna" but Madonna had it changed to Susan.

Her time on the screen was just the right amount for what she can do in a movie. It was perfect. I loved the nerdy friend, the making out with pants down and the cutesy grifting through out. She never reached those heights in a film again.

I still remember her going into the ladies room to use the hand blower to dry her pits after dancing.

She made the movie at the right time while she was seriously "it".

[quote] Who agrees that her part should have been bigger?

Her role was already pretty huge. It was right-sized.

It's a favorite! It's true, she was a hot star at the time but I don't think it needs more of Madonna's "acting". Half of it is what she's wearing and doing. She's not quotable in this or anything.

Favorite scene from DSS:

Madonna and members of Roberta's (Arquette character) family are at a bar. Roberta is missing (reason for the get-together). One of them had placed a drinks order. The server arrives at the table and says: "Let me guess." He calls out each drink name and places it in front of the right person:

Susan (Madonna): Triple Tequila Sunrise.

Gary Glass (Mark Blum, Arquette's husband): Ginger Ale.

Larry Stillman DDS (Steven Wright): Scotch.

Leslie (Laurie Metcalf): Rum and Tab.

The triple tequila sunrise was hilarious. It's what a grifter who was getting free drinks would order.

The ginger ale matched the boring guy (Arquette's husband).

I can't remember the DDS character.

The rum and Tab matched Laurie Metcalf's irritable and high-strung character.

She basically played herself in this movie. I don’t see the miracle here.

Love her first scene when she tickles her trick's foot on her way out. You never see his face, but you know he's hotttttttttt!

I loved this movie!

[quote] She basically played herself in this movie. I don’t see the miracle here.

IMO, at some point, very early in her career, Madonna became VERY self-conscious and affected. DSS was filmed during her last moments before that.

I don't think Madonna could even play her own self, now. She's way too self-conscious, all the time.

R15. Been there.

I loved the magic club or whatever it was where her friend worked, the one who wore cats eye eyeglasses and a tulle semi formal prom dress. I desperately wanted to hang out in that world.

"Take a valium like a normal person

Laurie Metcalf looked 40 even back then

It would be good to see it again. But then the toilet videos would seem even worse.

Great music too

Why didn't the soundtrack have her song on it and all of the other popular songs from the movie?

Such a fun movie. I miss that Madonna. R25, I also wanted desperately to hang out in that world.

Does anyone know what was cut out of the final cut?

Madonna? Desperate? Say it ain’t so.

Aidan Quinn was so cute.

R32, never

It'd be hard to even fake downtown NYC this way now. Slightly lawless, wild, colorful, seedy, dangerous. The youthful freedom in Madonna in this.

R35 it’s so true. I caught the last gasp of downtown NY and I miss it.

Madonna was at her best in this movie because she was just naturally serving us her MTV music videos persona at the time, and wasn’t striving hard to Be An Actress.

A decade or so later with Evita she really wants to be taken seriously. I remember reading articles about how much she wanted the part and how she was doing vocal training.

My face Madonna era.

What would you change about this movie if you could or had to?

I want to see Madonna and Bruce Willis's screen test

Trailer

^^^ the "got a quarter? Wanna play?" must have got cut from the film because it's not in it

R43, yep I wish it was in the film.

I don't know why it was cut.

“ Was there ever a more awesome character/role/performance in movie history?”

Idiot.

R45, it's true

R30- You DESPERATELY want to hang out in that world?

You sound like a TOURIST.

"Anybody here from Queens? Me I'm from normal parents"

Between Madonna stealing her lunch and Weinstein cancelling her because she wouldn't bend over his desk I feel sorry for that poor cow Rosanna

r49 at least she got a cheesy song named after her

It practically went straight to video!

They should remake this with a proper actress like Sabrina Carpenter.

[quote]Who agrees that her part should have been bigger?

Well, I certainly fucking do!

R51, no it was in theaters everywhere

R47, as an eight year old, I desperately wanted to be Madonna in DSS. When I wasn't wanting to be Boy George.

Her sister Suddenly Susan is much better.

Into The Groove music video

If they made the part bigger, it might not have been that successful of a movie. A little bit of Madge goes a long way..like black mold.

R58, she could always lead a movie and make it successful

^LOL

Rosanna Arquette wasn't too pleased that she was overshadowed by Madonna

She didn't really have the chops to be a leading lady. Unlike say her sister.

I watched it the other night because of this thread. Madonna really is magnificent in this. Oh god, to have been a young gayling in the 80s.

Is it streaming anywhere?

It's on Prime. I watched it over the holidays because of this thread! Delightful little caper film.

R64, awesome

R63 Its also on Max.

R63 It's also on Pluto TV

I'm tempted to say that this was the best movie of the 1980's...

[quote] Was there ever a more awesome character/role/performance in movie history?

Yes.

Yes, there was.

This film totally encapsulates 1985.

I have much nostalgia for this gem.

Bloopers from the movie

It needed more Madonna and less of ... everything else

[quote]Was there ever a more awesome character/role/performance in movie history?

Yes.

Burned corpse #24 in 1975"s "The Hindenburg."

"Suddenly Last Susan"?

[quote] Her time on the screen was just the right amount for what she can do in a movie.

Did they measure it in milliseconds?

Most of her movies are nothing but bloopers.

I am convinced Madonna trolls DL. Between this insanity and the “Ray of Light” thread claiming it’s the greatest album by a female ever, it reeks of a lonely old lady in need of a little narcissistic supply.

The Material Girl “desperately” wanted the career - and talent - of Sharon Stone. Unfortunately for Madge, her dreadful, odious performances aren’t fit to stand trembling in Sharon’s shadow.

Exuding scorching sexuality, formidable thespian talent and unadorned, ethereal beauty, Sharon boasts an Oscar-nominated cinematic resume that long been the envy of Madonna - along with every other Hollywood starlet.

Madonna, alas, has “Body of Evidence,” the Thrifty Nickel version of “Basic Instinct,” only far less subtle and more snickers than sexy.

While Madge has had a somewhat lucrative run, her well of talent and creativity - not to mention already dubious looks - has long run dry. For an evergreen source of beauty and box-office gold, the public will always run to Sharon Stone.

R79, don't you think that they lookalike?

[quote] [R79], don't you think that they lookalike?

Sharon’s pussy is far more elegant and groomed than the untamed Italian fro between Madonna’s legs.

R81, they both won Golden Globes too

R78 not to mention the level of detail re: Madge's writing and producing credits. I mean who would know that stuff off the cuff in such minutiae?

What does everyone think of the alternate ending?

Everyone should get the DVD and listen to the commentary

Who has more screen time: Madonna or Aidan Quinn?

I thought she was fucking annoying. She was basically playing herself. Aiden Quinn was good in it though.

R87, what about Rosanna?

Deshperately Sheeking Shushan

Her best performance. It was all downhill after that.

R90, she was brilliant in Shanghai Surprise

I LOVED Shanghai Shurprise

I think there was just enough of her sprinkled into the movie, like a pinch of nutmeg tossed into steamed spinach.

She really nailed that line: "Hold the elevator!"

40 years later and Madonna is still desperate

Which other movies have actresses with the same amount of screen time that Madonna had in Desperately Seeking Susan?

OH look another Madonna thread!

No, she shouldn’t have been given an expanded role in the film. It’s obvious that her talents as an actress are limited. She is better in ensemble or supporting roles.

R98, great actress

r91 = Sean Penn

[quote]Was there ever a more awesome character/role/performance in movie history?

Yes

R101, who m

Nikki Finn, R102!

It was a cute role that fit her and she did a great job. That said, nearly everyone around her is just as good or better. The size of the part was perfect and balanced nicely with sizeable focus on Arquette and Quinn, and substantial, if smaller, roles for Blum and Metcalf.

She was fucking in this movie. She was not playing herself. She actually acted in this, and you couldn’t take your eyes off her. Her delivery was spot on. The haters will always try to take away her successes, but critics agree she got universal acclaim. If she’d have been anyone else, she’d have been nominated for an Oscar.

I saw this movie in midtown Atlanta when it came out, 1985.

R105 That should have read “fucking great”, but I’m sure she was getting that Jellybean action, too.

I was so hot for Aidan Quinn when I saw this as a wee gay. It was also the moment that I KNEW I would be moving to NYC as soon as I could (which I did and I'm still here ha).

R104, who had more screen time: Madonna or Aiden Quinn?

[quote]Love her first scene when she tickles her trick's foot on her way out. You never see his face, but you know he's hotttttttttt!

He *was* hot, it's Richard Hell.

What does everyone think of Smithereens?

"Oh god, to have been a young gayling in the 80s"

And dead.

Madonna at her best but you have to endure Roseanna Arquette.

Oh look, another Madonna thread

[Quote]Oh look, another Madonna thread

Um. . .this one has been going on for months. Pretty slow to react there, unoriginal poster.

I actually thought Arquette worked great. Everyone worked great. Good casting. It just fit the period and the script fit the cast.

Why was Aidan Quinn's name before Madonna's on the poster/movie cover and credits even though Madonna was in the iconic photo with Rosanna Arquette and played the title role?

Aidan was not in the iconic photo so his name should have been after Madonna's.

That never made sense to me.

Also, Madonna should have been given more screen time than Aidan since she played the title character.

Chicago native - when I was a film student, I worked on a friend's project and Aidan Quinn was in the main cast. All of us were crushing on him. Those blue eyes alone were just beautiful. He seemed a bit shy, and had a slight Irish accent. 10 years later, I'm seated in a dark theater with friends to see 'Legends of the Fall' and there he was. I hardly knew him but I was SO proud of him.

Great article

everyone thinks I'm Madonna.

r119 great article. I didn't know Bruce Willis was almost in it

Who was hotter: Gary Glass or Jim?

r122 neither

Madonna really was great in this. Her charisma was off the charts. She really can act. When she’s given strong directors (DDS, DT, ALOTO, Dangerous Game), or when she’s thrown off (being sick filming Evita), she’s great. She’s too self aware to be effective without those things.

So was the director saying she got rid of her baby?

R125 That was very obvious, I thought.

I think Bruce Willis would have been fantastic with Madonna in this. Missed opportunity.

Susan Seidelman always says Madonna was so easy to work with. Her handler for Orion, he has a YouTube channel, talks about dealing with her (both good and bad, though nothing horrible). He said Madonna was the easiest celebrity he’s ever dealt with by far. He says she could be very bratty, but very fun.

The stars REALLY aligned for her in 1984/85. She had this, and 6 top 5 (two #1s) in 6 months. Back when she turned 60, someone did an article about this time. They said Material Girl, Angel, Into The Groove, and Dress You Up would’ve hit #1 as well due to their overwhelming single sales, but radio was playing so many Madonna songs it kept them from hitting #1. She could’ve had 6 #1 singles in 6 months.

Why didn't Madonna make proper official music videos for Holiday, Angel, Dress You Up, and Into The Groove?

A shame that the Like A Virgin album only got 2 proper music videos (Like A Virgin and Material Girl) when the first album got 4 videos.

Madonna’s singles fighting for radio airplay definitely hurt their chances to hit #1 in ‘85. Her releasing Immaculate Collection also cannibalized the album sales of her first 4 albums immediately.

R117, Aidan Quinn was getting the hot young leading man push with "Reckless" and then "Desperately Seeking Susan." Madonna was not yet MADONNA when she got cast and when the suits negotiated the billing order.

Why didn't she film a movie in 1985?

She filmed Vision Quest in 1983, Desperately Seeking Susan in 1984, Shanghai Surprise in 1986, etc.

[quote]Why didn't she film a movie in 1985?

Because she went on tour to promote the LaV album.

R132, she filmed Dangerous Game and went on tour for The Girlie Show both in 1993.

1985 was the only year in her prime in which she didn't film a movie. What a shame...

R133 She was VERY busy. I don’t know how much else she could have done. Her 1985 was jam packed, plus she had a new relationship which I think took some priority over projects (movies, videos).

There was never a more perfect role for her aside from Evita. She was phenomenal in Dangerous Game. The movie was a slog, but the performances were all great.

Damn, Bruce Willis and Madonna would’ve been fire together. I liked the guy she was with in the movie, but he was not memorable at all. Her and Bruce? An already great movie would’ve been enhanced greatly. A rare miss for the excellent casting lady.

If you watch the videos of her Orion guy on YouTube, read the comments. He answers questions and clarifies some things he said about her, or stories he shared. In one video, he clarifies he didn’t mean to sound as negative about her as it came across, and ended saying he really liked her a lot. He said she was the most professional and he adored Rosanna, too.

I remember seeing it and was disappointed because she was absolutely totally playing herself. Even the way she dressed. Not a stretch.

R133, 1985 opened with Like a Virgin at the top of Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Madonna was busy promoting the album and putting together for her first concert tour. The Virgin Tour ran from April 10, 1985 to June 11, 1985. She married Sean Penn on Aug 16, 1985, and spent the remainder of the year building her new life with Sean.

R136 You what? You were the only person disappointed because she got universal acclaim for the role.

Why wasn't Rosanna nominated for an Oscar? She was snubbed

The guy from Orion is named Reid something.

He also said he was with her for her infamous VMA performance in 1984. He said many celebrities were rude to her ( exception being Tina Turner who was very complimentary), but the one who made her cry was Cyndi Lauper, according to him. His story was she wanted to meet Cyndi so bad, and was devastated another female could be so rude after introducing herself and saying she was a huge fan. He claims it hardened a woman who already had her defenses way up.

The publicist for Orion said Madonna told him she saw Hollywood as fake, eat or be eaten place where you were either used or you did the using, so she decided to learn the using game and master it. He said many used her, and/or tried to manipulate her. He said later on when he ran into her she pretended not to know him BUT he said that is the norm in LA. He said they must pass out manuals on it. He said it's a shame because the girl he ran lines with at her apartment could be the funniest, warmest person and it's a shame the industry forces you to be a certain way. He also said celebrities you think are nice aren't necessarily nice at all.

"I remember seeing it and was disappointed because she was absolutely totally playing herself. Even the way she dressed. Not a stretch."

Was she? People often say that dismissively about roles - the actor "is playing themselves." Madonna in real life is pretty self-serious, calculating, driven, even brittle at times - none of which describes the Susan role. Also, "playing themselves" isn't some throw-away easy thing to do. Even if the character's speech and mannerisms essentially match the actor's - it still has to be articulated and produced on screen, which is more than just rolling in and "being yourself." The actor still has to hit beats and marks and fit "themselves" into the structure of the script and be able to convincingly interact with the other actors in their scenes (which at a base level makes it impossible to truly be "themselves" since they aren't dealing with people/characters from their actual life). I guarantee that if someone wrote a role for me that was "myself" and I just waltzed onto set and was like I am in everyday life, it wouldn't be a good performance.

R135 Will you post a link to the Orion Guy’s video? I’m intrigued.

R139, I wonder what Cyndi's problem was

Cyndi Lauper Says There Was No Real Feud with Madonna: 'I've Loved Her Ever Since' 'Like a Prayer' (Exclusive)

At the 2:14 mark:

Cyndi: "I didn't think she [Madonna] liked me that much."

Now we know why.

R141 You get it.

R142 I'm looking for it. His name is Reid. Don't remember last name.

R143 and r145 Based on the Orion publicist, and he has no reason to lie since he's dishing on many celebrities, said Cyndi was the bitch to Madonna. He said it really shook her up sooooo I'm sure Cyndi is well aware, and Madonna doesn't forgive easily.

I wonder who else Cyndi was nasty to...

Cyndi is bitter asf she didn't have a bigger career. That wasn't Madonna's fault.

Cyndi has a grating singing voice. Her We Are The World vocal is nails on a chalkboard.

After winning the BAFTA, Rosanna was definitely snubbed for an Oscar nom.

The Official 1986 Desperately Seeking Susan Calendar! :

R144 what an odd comment to say she’s loved her since Like A Prayer. Why not before? Madonna had some stellar songs before like Live To Tell, Into The Groove, Papa Don’t Preach, La Isla Bonita.

Cyndi just needs to shut up about Madonna. Madonna hasn’t said one fucking word about her in 40 years probably because Cyndi was rude as fuck to her when they first met.

I guess Cyndi was offended by Madonna's VMA performance of LAV.

R152 The woman who sung about female masturbation was offended by seeing panties?

R153, yep Cyndi the hypocrite

R152 - R153:

Big difference between 'Like a Virgin' which was pretty much 'in-your-face' and 'She Bop' which wasn't.

R155 That's not the point- CYNDI knew her song was naughty. She's a hypocrite and was jealous.

That's EXACTLY the point. - Yes, Cyndi knew because she wrote it, but the lyrics was CLEARLY cryptic.

Not so much with a song whose title was LIKE A VIRGIN. Especially after Madonna's performance of the song.

Cyndi is a hypocritical bitch.

[quote]what an odd comment to say she’s loved her since Like A Prayer. Why not before?

It was the post-disco era when Madonna debuted. Disco was "dead" and there was a bias against dance music in American radio and among "serious artists." Madonna's music was dance-pop and early reviewers dismissed her as a disco dolly and a pop tart, predicting she'd be out of the business in a few months. The "boy-toy" image she was projecting certainly didn't help in that pop tart assessment. It wasn't until the release of the "Like a Prayer" album that the industry started to re-evaluate her and take her seriously. I'm assuming Cyndi was one of those people.

Cyndi's music was dance pop, too.

Cyndi's music is pop music that sometimes has dance elements, but it is not dance-pop.

Aaaaand most of Madonna's early work was straight up pop- Borderline, Lucky Star, MG, LAV, Crazy For You, Dress You Up, Live To Tell, Papa Don't Preach, Open Your Heart, La Isle Bonita..

Sooooo????

Cyndi was jealous of Madonna's beauty.

Debbie Harry interview about the Desperately Seeking Susan musical.

Did anyone see this musical? :

Another version of the interview

Another part

That musical suffered even worse than when Debbie bombed in her Broadway debut with Andy Koffman in the wrestling play "Teaneck Tanzi".

Debbie was asked her opinion about Madonna in nearly every interview between 1984 and 2007. She was usually very diplomatic but often gave slightly terse answers, sometimes with a bit of a sigh or barely perceptible eye roll.

You could sense her secret delight when they dropped Madonna and switched to asking her about Gaga, Miley, Taylor, and Co.

I wonder if Madonna has ever said anything bad about Debbie...

R168, Madonna has never said anything bad about Debbie Harry. She has often cited Debbie and David Bowie as major inspirations.

Madonna mentions Debbie Harry here. :

Madonna adores Debbie. Debbie had to have known they’d ask about Madonna since it’s a musical in which she played a major role in the film version. Egos.

Debbie's comments about Madonna through the years have ranged from complimentary to annoyance to derision. I guess it all depends on what mood Debbie's in when asked about her.

It’s all ego.

1985 was the only year in her prime in which she didn't film a movie. What a shame...

the real shame is the crap she did: The Next Best Thang, Who's That Girl, Shanghai Surprise, Body of Evidence, Swept Away . . .

Girl 6, Four Rooms. . .

Blue In The Face, Bloodhounds Of Broadway, Vision Quest, A Certain Sacrifice, Die Another Day, Dangerous Game, A League Of Their Own, Truth Or Dare, Shadows And Fog, Dick Tracy, Evita, Girl 6, Four Rooms, Body Of Evidence, Shanghai Surprise, Who's That Girl, The Next Best Thing, Swept Away, and DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN are all classics!

She was certainly very hit or miss.

She's great in DSS, but IMO, she's even better in A League of Their Own.

She showed up at Chris Rock's birthday party looking chic and almost human. Ozempic? Mounjaro?

R179 She was never fat. And she’s been slim since before the tour. Rita Wilson threw her a baby shower for Lourdes. They are reportedly very good friends since A League was filmed.

R180, agreed. She wasn't, isn't and never will be overweight.

I liked Madonna very much back then but she's over now. A has been, sorry but true. It happens to the best of us.

Even if she's not as popular as she once was, her achievements alone mean she's not a has-been. You'd have to be a retarded to put her in the same category as Dexy"s Midnight Runners. At worst, she's a legend.

R183 Exactly. That person is retarded.

Madonna is never “good” in a movie. It’s always how not horrible her performance is that’s notable. When she’s not a total disaster - rare - her fans act as if she’s a master thespian.

The fact is she is and always has been graded on an immense cinematic curve and it’s only due to her name recognition that she’s even considered for film roles.

Those dead, Cluster B eyes and non emotive voice are not effective on screen.

R185 Trying too hard. Critics would disagree, as well as fans. Check out what Tarantino thinks of her acting. Hint: he disagrees with your dumb ass strongly.

R186 = Madonna

R187 = dumb cunt

I thought she was good in LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN.

[quote] [R185] Trying too hard. Critics would disagree, as well as fans. Check out what Tarantino thinks of her acting. Hint: he disagrees with your dumb ass strongly.

Imagine being as mentally ill as R186 where you attack strangers in full-throated defense of Madonna’s “acting” abilities and achievements.

It’s akin to being one of those women who marry imprisoned serial killers or homeless people who yell at random people on the street and throw cans at them.

Madonna is a rancid “actress.” She’s kryptonite to the moviegoing public and no one will even put her into a movie anymore because she’s old, crazy and devoid of thespian talent. Critics have eviscerated her for decades and pulling out some random review for “Evita” from almost 30 years ago does not change that.

Michelle Pfeiffer gets roles. Sharon Stone even gets roles. Madonna is radioactive to Hollywood because a Muppet can out act her.

If someone needs a sad, decrepit hag to put on an amusing burlesque show that makes people laugh at her, then definitely hire Madonna. If you need a competent actress, look elsewhere. Like a street corner.

R190 No self awareness whatsoever. That was 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 insane. JFC.

The stench of Teacake and his countless aliases is all over this thread like a Blake Lively fart on the set of “Gossip Girl.”

[quote] Madonna really was great in this.

No.

[quote] Her charisma was off the charts.

No.

[quote] She really can act.

No.

This needs a 4K physical release.

March 29 will mark the 40th anniversary of its release.

R195, time flies

Does anyone think that Madonna and Rosanna's roles should have been reversed?

She was ok in the context of the role. But really, the scene where the guy grabs and kidnaps her, she just stands there with a blank look on her face.

Act, girl, act.

No, I don't think Rosanna and Madonna's roles should have been reversed.

They should make a documentary about this movie.

Alternative ending.

Desperately Seeking Susan is a cute little 80s indie film, and Madonna is perfectly adequate in it as would most any other actress. Her performance playing herself has been wildly over-praised for decades. She's fine, not much more.

R202, it's not indie

Did you know there’s a kind of updated version by Susan Seidelman set in Barcelona? Gaudi Afternoon, filmed in 2001 with the great Judy Davis as a peripatetic translater. It’s based on a mystery novel and unfortunately the other characters are charmless and shouty. But there’s a magic club with a cigarette girl and the real star, Barcelona—as it was. It just looked really good.

Wow, thank you R204. I had never heard of this movie but I just watched the trailer. I’m intrigued by this. Great cast and it looks fun. I’m gonna watch this on Tubi.

R188 has really bad breath.

Probably from all of the Madge rimjobs.

Well, the movie is…not great. Starts good but after the magic club scene it gets annoying. Barcelona looks really interesting.

The movie which made me realize how bad of an actor Madonna is was The Next Best Thing with Rupert Everett. I remember thinking that maybe this will be different because it had a good storyline (lgbt best friend, etc) . I remember being how stunned I was at Madonna’s lack of ability to deliver a basic script line with any real nuance or believability. This was probably her only role in which she played a regular, average person. She absolutely destroyed this film. When i think about how many chances she has been given to break through and show any real acting ability i think how unfair that she stole the chance away from an unknown actor with real ability to ever shine. In regards to Evita, same thing, what would’ve been an Oscar calibre performance was ruined by Madonna’s inappropriately thin and weak singing voice. There was very little actual spoken lines in this and i think that’s what saved her performance from being really awful to a mediocre one. The role of Evita required not just an actor with great presence but one who could act and most importantly sing her ass off. I can only imagine if Lady Gaga was around then. She would’ve absolutely killed as Evita and probably would’ve won the Oscar for it. Unfortunately she was only ten years old.

R208, Madonna was brilliant in Shanghai Surprise

Madonna has been brilliant in a few movies:

Desperately Seeking Susan

A League of their own

Dangerous Game

Evita

Cases can be made for oscar nominations for all of them, and she should have won the oscar for Game. It's a revelatory performance and one of her best.

Brilliant is a very strong word to describe someone who is pretty much universally known to be someone with very little talent as an actor. Only her biased fan base are convinced in their minds that she is anywhere near being “good” much less “brilliant “. There is a reason she failed to be Oscar nodded for Evita. A huge hit musical. A huge star in the lead role. Still no nomination. Let’s just say the people who know better made the correct decision. And before you bring up her “Golden Globe win, that and the Oscars are apples and oranges. No one even knows who the Hollywood Foreign Press members are. It’s the coveted Oscar nod that counts. Madonna knows it and iI bet it still kills her inside that she is not recognized as a great actress. Hell- she can’t even get her own biopic off the ground.

R210 = Lourdes making sure that she is in the will…

Madonna just walks through the movie. She is fine but is aided immeasurably by an unusually good script, a director who has something of a visionary flair, and a capable/outstanding supporting cast, including Arquette, who pretty much (generously) hands the entire film over to her. I think dozens of women could have played the Madonna part, whereas Rosanna is the more unique and interesting part of the film.

Pretty much everything Madonna did as Susan worked well in the movie. I don't think her performance was amazing, but it was very good and suited the film. I always enjoy watching this film.

Other than that performance, I think Madonna was good in Dick Tracy (though there are moments where she slips into bad acting, like when she meets Tracy at night by the docks). She was good in Evita but I think her experience making great music videos is what worked there, primarily. The few moments when she is called upon to really act (seeing Peron getting hauled away just prior to "A New Argentina," for example) reveal some limitations in her abilities. Here and there she had other good performances, too, like in A League Of Their Own and Dangerous Game, although I wouldn't say she was spectacular in either. She was solid and adequate.

The person who said she became very self conscious after making DSS is right. I have always felt that about her. She seemed to become very aware of how the public and press scrutinized her after achieving "megastardom," and perhaps that spoiled her ability to be more free in her performances. Over the years she has only become more measured and controlled in how she speaks and presents herself (excepting some under-the-influence moments in recent years) in interviews and public engagements, which is a shame because a lot of her music has lost its sense of fun and lightness in the last 25 years, too.